Absorbent article

ABSTRACT

An absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, panty liner, tampon, diaper, pant diaper, adult incontinence guard, containing a bacterial composition ( 8 ) in a lipid phase ( 9 ), the bacterial composition containing at least one lactic acid producing bacterial strain. The lipid phase ( 9 ) containing said bacterial composition ( 8 ) is applied on or in a carrier member ( 10 ) which at least before use of the article is impermeable to the lipid phase. The carrier member is located on a wearer facing side of the absorbent structure ( 4 ) so as to prevent significant transfer of the lipid phase into the absorbent structure.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure refers to an absorbent article such as a sanitarynapkin, panty liner, tampon, diaper, pant diaper, adult incontinenceguard. More specifically it refers to such articles containing bacterialcomposition comprising at least one lactic acid producing bacterialstrain

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

The urogenital area harbors a complex microbial ecosystem comprisingmore than 50 different bacterial species (Hill et al., Scand. J. Urol.Nephrol. 1984; 86 (suppl.) 23-29). The dominating species for fertilewomen in this area are lactic acid producing bacteria belonging to thegenus Lactobacillus. These lactic acid producing members are importantfor retaining a healthy microbial flora in these areas, and act asprobiotic bacteria with an antagonistic effect against pathogenicmicrobial species. Lactic acid producing bacteria inhibit growth andcolonization by other microorganisms by occupying suitable niches forcolonization, by forming biofilms and competing for available nutrients,thereby excluding colonization by harmful microorganisms. Also, theproduction of hydrogen peroxide, specific inhibiting substances, such asbacteriocines, and organic acids (including lactic acid and acetic acid)that lower the pH, inhibit colonization by other microorganisms.

The microbial ecosystem of a healthy individual can be disturbed by theuse of antibiotics, during hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy oruse of contraceptives with estrogen, during menstruation, aftermenopause, in people suffering from diabetes etc. Also, microorganismsmay spread from the anus to the urogenital area, thereby causinginfections. This results in a disturbance of the normal microbial floraand leaves the individual susceptible to microbial infections that causevaginitis, urinary tract infections and ordinary skin infections.Microorganisms commonly associated with these kinds of infections belongto the genera Escherichia, Enterococcus, Psedomonas, Proteus,Klebsiella, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Gardnerella and Candida.Women are at particular risk due to their shorter distance between theanus and the urogenital tract; specially at risk are young women, whonot yet have a well developed microflora in the urogenital area andolder women, who no longer have a protective flora.

One way to reduce the problems with the kinds of infections describedabove is to have a good personal hygiene. However, excessive use ofcleaning agents not only decrease the amount of harmful microbes, butcan harm the beneficial microbial flora, again render it susceptible forpathogenic species to colonize and cause infections. Alternatively,administration of lactic acid producing bacteria to the urogenital areaand the skin in order to outcompete pathogenic species and facilitatereestablishment and maintenance of a beneficial microbial flora in theseareas, have been found to be a successful means to treat and preventmicrobial infections.

It has been suggested that lactic acid producing bacteria can bedelivered via absorbent products, such as diapers, sanitary napkin,incontinence guards, panty liners and tampons, as described in, forexample, WO 92/13577, WO 97/02846, WO 99/17813, WO 99/45099 and WO00/35502.

A major problem with providing products intended to be used for transferof lactic acid producing bacteria, is that the bacteria have to retainviability during transport and storage of the products. A major problemwith products comprising lactic acid producing bacteria is that thebacteria rapidly lose viability under semi-moist conditions, and it istherefore important that the products are not exposed to moisture.

With “semi-moist” conditions is meant that the water activity (a_(w)) isbetween about 0.2 and about 0.9. Water activity a_(w) measures thevapour pressure generated by the moisture present in a hygroscopicproduct.a _(w) =p/p _(s),where:

-   p: partial pressure of water vapour at the surface of the product-   p_(s): saturation pressure, or the partial pressure of water vapour    above pure water at the product temperature

Water activity reflects the active part of moisture content or the partwhich, under normal circumstances, can be exchanged between the productand its environment.

Water activity is usually defined under static conditions ofequilibrium. Under such conditions, the partial pressure of water vapour(p) at the surface of the product is equal to the partial pressure ofwater vapour in the immediate environment of the product. Any exchangeof moisture between the product and its environment is driven by adifference between these two partial pressures.

One way to partly overcome this problem has been to supply products withfreeze-dried lactic acid producing bacteria. However, if the bacteria inthe products are not protected from moisture after manufacturing of theproducts, the air humidity will subsequently kill the bacteria and theshelf-life of such products will then be shortened. Another disadvantagewith the direct application of dried lactic acid producing bacteria to ahygiene product, such as an absorbent product, is that transfer of thebacteria to the urogenital area will be low.

In order to overcome the problem with air humidity decreasing theshelf-life of products containing lactic acid producing bacteria it hasbeen suggested to prepare dispersions of lactic acid producing bacteriaand a hydrophobic substance, such as a fat or an oil. Researchexperiments have shown that storage in sterile vaseline oil results in ahigh level of viable lactobacilli cells after 8 months of storage(Arkadéva et al., N A. Nauchnye Doklady Vysshei Shkoly. BiologicheskieNauki, 1983, 2:101-104). However, Stoianova et al. (Mikrobiologiia,2000, 69:98-104), found that immersion in mineral oil was not effectiveto preserve viability of lactic acid producing bacteria. U.S. Pat. No.4,518,696 describes liquid suspensions of Lactobacilli in sunflower oilfor oral administration to animals. However, none of the abovereferences are concerned with the problems associated with retaining ahigh viability of lactic acid producing bacteria on hygiene products tobe used to administer lactic acid producing bacteria to the urogenitalarea of a subject.

There are additional examples of the combination lactic acid producingbacteria and an oil, although these do not describe the effect of theoil on the survival of the lactic acid producing bacteria. WO 01/13956describes the use of pharmaceutical compositions comprising Emu oil,antimicrobial agents and/or Bacillus coagulans to be used forantimicrobial treatments. However, Bacillus coagulans is not naturallyoccurring in the normal human urogenital flora and is mainly used asodor inhibitor and is not adapted to improve the microbial flora inhumans. Bacillus coagulans is forming spores and is therefore notsensitive for normal moisture. WO 02/28446 describes the use of anessentially hydrophobic carrier and freeze-dried lactic acid producingbacteria to prepare a distribution to be applied to an absorbentproduct. The hydrophobic carrier was mainly chosen to overcome problemswith applying the bacteria to the absorbent product duringmanufacturing, but the carrier also protects the bacteria from airhumidity.

In conclusion, there is still a need to develop products for delivery oflactic acid producing bacteria to the urogenital area that areconvenient to use, result in efficient transfer of the bacteria to thearea where they are applied and that can be stored for long time periodswithout loss of viability of the bacterial cells.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY

The above defined problems are solved by an absorbent article containinga bacterial composition in a lipid phase, said bacterial compositioncontaining at least one lactic acid producing bacterial strain, saidarticle comprising an absorbent structure, wherein the lipid phasecontaining said bacterial composition is applied on a carrier memberwhich at least before use of the article is impermeable to said lipidphase, said carrier member being located on a wearer facing side of theabsorbent structure so as to prevent significant transfer of the lipidphase into the absorbent structure.

In one aspect said carrier member at least partly encloses the lipidphase with the bacterial composition contained therein.

In a further aspect the carrier member comprises a sheet having at leastone pocket or well formed therein containing the lipid phase andbacterial composition.

It is desirable that said pocket or well has a depth of at least 2 mm,preferably at least 4 mm and more preferably at least 5 mm. It isfurther preferred that the pocket or well has a depth of no more than 10mm, preferably no more than 8 mm.

According to one embodiment the carrier member is provided with at leasttwo pockets or wells containing the lipid phase and bacterialcomposition. In a further embodiment the pockets or wells are locatedspaced apart a distance (b) of at least 5 mm. Preferably the pockets orwells are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the article.

In one aspect the least one pocket or well is covered by a covermaterial that is impermeable to the lipid phase. The cover material maybe of the same or of a different material as the carrier member and isupon use of the article removable by melting, dissolving, peeling offand/or rupturing.

In a further aspect the lipid phase with the bacterial composition iscompletely enclosed by the carrier member, which is in the form of abubble, tube or pouch. According to one embodiment at least part of saidbubble, tube or pouch has a minimum cross dimension of at least 2 mm,preferably at least 4 mm and more preferably at least 5 mm.

The article may comprise at least two of said bubbles, tubes or poucheseach containing the lipid phase and bacterial composition. In one aspectsaid bubbles, tubes or pouches are located spaced apart a distance (b)of at least 5 mm. Preferably they are spaced apart in the longitudinaldirection of the article.

In one aspect the lipid phase is a wax and/or an oil. The wax may bechosen from a plant wax, a mineral wax, an animal wax, a silicon wax andmixtures thereof. In one embodiment the wax is a mineral wax whichpreferably as a main component contains petrolatum.

In a further aspect the carrier member is chosen from polymer films,metal foils and laminates there from. The polymer film may watersoluble. The carrier member may be chosen from the following materials:polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyesters, polyurethanes,polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinylacetate, polyethers, ionomers andcopolymers thereof, aluminium foil, laminates of polymer films andaluminium foil.

The carrier member may be water vapour impermeable. An example of such amaterial is aluminium foil having a thickness of at least 9 μm. Asuitable water vapour impermeable carrier material is a laminate of apolymer film and aluminium foil, said aluminium foil having a thicknessof at least 9 μm.

In one embodiment the at least one carrier member holding the lipidphase and bacterial composition is applied on the wearer facing side ofthe article or below one or more layers of the article permittingpenetration of the lactic acid producing bacterial strain to the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of an absorbent product accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view through the absorbent article accordingto the line II-II in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view according to the line III-III in FIG.1.

FIG. 4 a-e illustrates carrier members according to the invention havingdifferent shapes.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of an absorbent article according tothe invention.

FIG. 6 a-c shows a third embodiment of an absorbent article duringdifferent stages of opening the carrier member for exposing the lipidphase and bacterial composition.

FIG. 7 a-c shows a fourth embodiment of an absorbent article duringdifferent stages of opening the carrier members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The term “absorbent article” refers to products that are placed againstthe skin of the wearer to absorb and contain body exudates, like urine,faeces and menstrual fluid. The disclosure mainly refers to disposableabsorbent articles, which means articles that are not intended to belaundered or otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article afteruse. Examples of disposable absorbent articles include feminine hygieneproducts such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, tampons and sanitarypanties; diapers and pant diapers for infants and incontinent adults;incontinence pads.

By “probiotic composition” or “bacterial composition” is meant acomposition comprising probiotic bacteria, i.e. bacteria that have theability to reestablish the natural microbial flora of the host. Theprobiotic preparation according to embodiments of the present inventionfurther comprises a lipid phase.

By “dispersion” is meant a mixture of at least two phases which areinsoluble or have a limited solubility in one another and wherein onephase forms solid particles, liquid droplets or gas bubbles in the otherphase.

Preferred “lactic acid producing bacteria” include bacteria from thegenera Lactobacillus, Lactococcus and Pediococcus. Preferably theselected bacterium used is from the species Lactococcus lactis,Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillusplantarum or Lactobacillus rhamnosus. More preferably the bacterialstrain is selected from Lactobacillus plantarum. Even more preferablythe lactic acid producing bacterium is Lactobacillus plantarum 931(deposition No. (DSMZ): 11918). The bacteria are preferably isolatedfrom the natural flora of a healthy person, preferably the bacteria areisolated from the skin or urogenital area or orally.

By “lipid phase” is meant a water-insoluble organic phase with a fattycharacter. Lipids suitable to be used in the lipid phase includepetroleum-derived lipids, synthetic lipids, and animal- andplant-derived lipids. Preferred lipids are waxes and oils and mixturesthereof.

Examples of “additional components” include, but are not limited to,agents protecting the bacterial cells during drying of the bacteria,agents acting as nutrient for bacterial propagation, and skin caringagents. Further examples of suitable additional components are givenbelow.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a sanitary napkin 1 which typicallycomprises a liquid permeable topsheet 2, a liquid impermeable backsheet3 and an absorbent structure 4 enclosed there between. The liquidpermeable topsheet 2 can be composed of a nonwoven material, e gspunbonded, meltblown, carded, hydroentangled, wetlaid etc. Suitablenonwoven materials can be composed of natural fibers, such as woodpulpor cotton fibres, manmade fibres, such as polyester, polyethylene,polypropylene, viscose etc. or from a mixture of natural and manmadefibres. The topsheet material may further be composed of tow fibres,which may be bonded to each other in a bonding pattern, as e.g.disclosed in EP-A-1 035 818. Further examples of topsheet materials areporous foams, apertured plastic films etc. The materials suited astopsheet materials should be soft and non-irritating to the skin and bereadily penetrated by body fluid, such as urine or menstrual fluid.

The liquid impermeable backsheet 3 may consist of a thin plastic film,e.g. a polyethylene or polypropylene film, a nonwoven material coatedwith a liquid impervious material, a hydrophobic nonwoven material,which resists liquid penetration or laminates of plastic films andnonwoven materials. The backsheet material may be breathable so as toallow vapour to escape from the absorbent structure, while stillpreventing liquids from passing through the backsheet material.

The topsheet 2 and the backsheet material 3 have a somewhat greaterextension in the plane than the absorbent structure 4 and extend outsidethe edges thereof. The layers 2 and 3 are connected to each other withinthe projecting portions 5 thereof, e.g. by gluing or welding by heat orultrasonic. The topsheet and/or the backsheet may further be attached tothe absorbent structure by any method known in the art, such as adhesiveor welding by heat or ultrasonic etc. The absorbent structure may alsobe unattached to the topsheet and/or the backsheet.

A fastening means in the form of a region 6 of an adhesive is providedon the side of the backsheet facing away from the wearer in use. Theadhesive may releasably attach to the undergarment of the wearer. Arelease paper 7 protects the adhesive region before use. The adhesiveregion 6 may have any suitable configuration, such as elongate ortransverse strips, dots, full-coated areas etc.

In other embodiments of absorbent articles other types of fasteners,like friction fasteners, tape tabs or mechanical fasteners likehook-and-loop fasteners etc may be used to fasten the articles to theunderwear or around the waist of the wearer. Some absorbent articles arein the form of pants and therefore do not need special fastening means.In other cases the absorbent article is worn in special elastic pantswithout the need for additional fasteners.

The absorbent structure 4 can be of any conventional kind. Examples ofcommonly occurring absorbent materials are cellulosic fluff pulp, tissuelayers, highly absorbent polymers (so called superabsorbents), absorbentfoam materials, absorbent nonwoven materials or the like. It is commonto combine cellulosic fluff pulp with superabsorbents in an absorbentstructure. It is also common to have absorbent structures comprisinglayers of different material with different properties with respect toliquid acquisition capacity, liquid distribution capacity and storagecapacity. This is well-known to the person skilled in the art and doestherefore not have to be described in detail. The thin absorbent bodies,which are common in today's absorbent articles, often comprise acompressed mixed or layered structure of cellulosic fluff pulp andsuperabsorbent. The size and absorbent capacity of the absorbentstructure may be varied to be suited for different uses such as sanitarynapkins, pantiliners, adult incontinence pads and diapers, baby diapers,pant diapers, etc.

It is understood that the absorbent article described above and shown inthe drawings only represents one non-limiting example and that thepresent invention is not limited thereto, but can be used in any type ofabsorbent articles as defined above.

The object is to provide hygiene products, such as sanitary napkins,tampons, panty-liners, diapers, incontinence guards, hygiene tissuesetc. suitable for absorbing bodily fluids and simultaneously deliveringprobiotic lactic acid producing bacteria to the skin, or morepreferably, the urogenital area. Embodiments of the present inventionseek to solve the problems associated with providing products comprisinglactic acid producing bacteria, such as problems with bacterialsurvival, transfer to skin and costs and effectiveness of manufacturing.

The absorbent article contains a probiotic preparation comprising adried bacterial composition 8 which is mixed with a lipid phase 9. Thehydrophobic character of the lipid phase decreases the amount of airhumidity which reaches the bacterial cells dispersed in the lipid phase,thereby increasing the survival time for the bacteria in the bacterialcomposition. Dispersing the lactic acid producing bacteria in a lipidphase has the additional advantage that transfer of the bacteria to theskin and/or urogenital area is enhanced compared to when no lipid phaseis used. When the product is used, the lipid phase softens when exposedto body heat and the bacterial composition is transferred to the skin.When the bacteria come in contact with moisture after delivery to theskin, they are reactivated, start to grow and perform their probioticaction.

Further additives like contact sorption drying carriers, as disclosed inUS 2004/0243076, may be present in the bacterial composition. With“contact sorption carriers” are meant substances that have the abilityto take up moisture from the ambient environment. Examples of contactsorption drying carriers are, but not limited to, oligo- andpolysaccharides and inorganic agents.

Other additives may also be present in the bacterial composition.Examples of such additives include, but are not limited to, agentsprotecting the bacterial cells during drying of the bacteria, such assugars (e.g. maltose, glucose, sucrose, trehalose, fructose), proteins(e.g. skim milk, albumin), amino acids (e.g. sodium glutamate), polyols(e.g. xylitol), mannitol and sorbitol, pH-regulating agents (e.g. lacticacid) and antioxidants (e.g. sodium ascorbate). Additional componentsalso include nutrients that enhance bacterial propagation once thebacteria are activated by moisture after they are delivered to the skinor urogenital area. Additional components can also form part of theprobiotic preparation. Suitable additional components also include skincaring substances e.g. lipid soluble skin caring substances, such asvitamin A and E, skin caring oils, such as chamomile oils (Bisabolol),eucalyptus oil, lavender oil and phytosterols. Additional components mayalso include a preservation matrix according to WO 98/46261.

The lipid phase 9 is a wax and/or an oil. The wax is preferably chosenfrom plant waxes, mineral waxes, silicone waxes, animal waxes andmixtures thereof. Preferred mineral waxes are paraffin waxes, microwaxes, petrolatum and mixtures thereof. One example of a preferred waxis petrolatum. The lipid phase can also be a mixture of wax and oil.Important characteristics of the lipid phase are that it should bepossible to disperse the bacterial composition in the lipid phase at atemperature of between 20 and 50° C., preferably between 20 and 25° C.and that the water content is low, below 4 weight %, preferably below 2weight %. The melting behaviour of the lipid phase is a furtherimportant factor, which will be discussed in further detail below.

The probiotic preparation comprising the lipid phase containing thebacterial composition is applied on or is at least partially encased bya carrier member 10 which is located on a wearer facing side of theabsorbent structure 4. The carrier member 10 is either located on topof, i.e. on the wearer facing side of the topsheet 2, or between thetopsheet and the absorbent structure 4. The carrier member 10 is of amaterial that is impermeable to the lipid phase, so that any significanttransfer of the lipid phase into the absorbent structure 4 is prevented.

Suitable materials for the carrier member 10 are polymer films, metalfoils and laminates there from. The polymer film may be water soluble orwater insoluble, but preferably water soluble. Examples of suitablepolymers for the carrier member are: polyethylene, polypropylene,polyamide, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyvinyl alcohols,polyvinylacetate, polyethers, ionomers and copolymers thereof, Anexample of a suitable metal foil is aluminium foil. Laminates of polymerfilms and metal foils may also be used as carrier member material. Thecarrier member may be water vapour impermeable. An example of a watervapour impermeable material is an aluminium foil having a thickness ofat least 9 μm, and a suitable water vapour impermeable carrier membermaterial is a laminate of a polymer film and aluminium foil, wherein thealuminium foil has a thickness as defined above.

The carrier member 10 preferably at least partly encloses the probioticpreparation comprising the lipid phase containing the bacterialcomposition. This may according to one embodiment illustrated in FIGS.1-3 be accomplished by having one ore more pockets or wells 11 formed ina substantially flat carrier member 10. The probiotic preparation isapplied in these pockets or wells 11. It is preferred that these pocketsor wells 11 have a depth, a, of at least 2 mm, preferably at least 4 mmand more preferably at least 5 mm.

It has been shown that after 3-6 months the bacterial survival ofLactobacillus dispersed in petrolatum in aluminium wells of a depth of 1mm was significantly lower than for those dispersed in petrolatum inaluminium wells having a depth of 3 and 5 mm. In all cases the diameterof the wells were 17 mm. This test is illustrated in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Depth of Amount Amount of wells petrolatum Lb 0-value (mm) (mg)(Cfu/g) 1 month 2 mon. 3 mon. 4 mon. 5 mon. 6 mon. 1 200 1.5E8 7.5E71.5E7 2.9E6 4.2E5 1.7E4 6.6E3 3 600 1.5E8 6.3E7 3.0E7 4.4E7 2.0E7 2.0E71.8E7 5 1000 1.5E8 8.0E7 5.0E7 5.8E7 4.6E7 2.1E7 3.4E7

It is further preferred that the pockets or wells 11 have a depth of nomore than 10 mm, preferably no more than 8 mm.

According to one embodiment the carrier member 10 is provided with atleast two pockets or wells 11 containing the probiotic preparation.Preferably the pockets or wells are located spaced apart a distance, b,of at least 5 mm, preferably at least 10 mm, in the longitudinaldirection of the article.

The pockets or wells 11 are before use of the article covered by amaterial 12 that is impermeable to the lipid phase. This cover materialmay be the same as the carrier member material or a different material.It may be water soluble so that it is readily dissolved when contactedwith body fluid. It may alternatively be water insoluble, at which itmust be removed or ruptured before using the article. This may beaccomplished in many different ways, for example by a pull string havinga free end and which extends below the cover material, by peeling of thecover material, by squeezing and rupturing the cover material etc. Thecover material 12 may further be of a material that melts when exertedto body temperature and thus exposes the probiotic preparation.

The carrier member 10 may also be in the form of a bubble, pouch or tubethat encloses the probiotic preparation. The article may comprise two ormore of said bubbles, pouches or tubes each containing the probioticpreparation. In the case of two or more bubbles, pouches or tubes, theseare preferably located spaced apart a distance, b, of at least 10 mm inthe longitudinal direction of the article.

It is preferred that each carrier member bubble, pouch or tube 10 has aminimum cross dimension of at least 2 mm, preferably at least 4 mm andmore preferably at least 5 mm, in order to ensure a good bacterialsurvival in the probiotic preparation. The “minimum cross dimension” isherein defined as the cross dimension in the direction in which thecapsule has its minimum cross dimension, i.e. is thinnest. This isillustrated in FIG. 4 a-e, wherein FIG. 4 a shows a spherical bubble andFIG. 4 b a cylindrical tube, both of which having a substantiallycircular cross section. In this case the minimum cross dimension, a, issimply the diameter of the bubble or tube. FIG. 4 c show a “flat” pouch,wherein the minimum cross dimension, a, is the thickness of the pouch.FIG. 4 d illustrates a drop-shaped bubble, having a thickersubstantially spherical portion with a diameter corresponding to the“minimum cross dimension”, a. FIG. 4 e illustrates a tube or pouchhaving a varying cross dimension over its length, wherein at least oneportion of the tube or pouch has a minimum cross dimension or thickness,a, as claimed. Thus there may be other portions of the tube or pouchhaving smaller cross dimensions than the claimed “minimum crossdimension”.

The carrier member 10 is placed in an absorbent article either on thewearer facing side of the topsheet material 2, immediately below thetopsheet or close enough below the topsheet to allow the bacterialcomposition to penetrate through the topsheet to the user of thearticle. It is important that it is placed on the wearer facing side ofthe absorbent structure 4 so that leakage of the probiotic preparationto the absorbent structure 4 is prevented at least before use of thearticle.

FIG. 5 illustrates an absorbent article in the form of a sanitarynapkin, pantiliner, incontinence guard or the like, provided with twocarrier members 10 in the form of bubbles, which are spaced apart adistance, b, in the longitudinal direction of the article.

The bubbles 10 are located and attached to, for example by an adhesive,to the wearer facing side of the topsheet 2. A string 13 is embedded inthe bubbles 10 and has a free end 14 protruding outside the bubbles. Bypulling the string 13 the bubbles 10 are ruptured and the probioticpreparation held therein is released.

FIG. 6 a-c illustrate a further embodiment of an absorbent articlehaving a carrier member 10 in the form of a pouch, which is adhered tothe wearer facing side of the topsheet 2. The upper layer of the pouchis peeled open upon use of the article and folded over the surface ofthe article, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 b and c, at which the probioticpreparation is exposed.

According to a still further embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 a-c thebubbles 10 are applied on the wearer facing surface of the topsheet 2and are before the article is worn (FIG. 7 a) covered with a releasepaper 15, to which the bubbles 10 are attached, for example by anadhesive. When the article is to be used the release paper 15 is removed(FIG. 7 b), at which the bubbles 10 will rupture and the probioticpreparation held therein will be released (FIG. 7 c).

When using vapour impermeable carrier members the lipid phase becomesless critical

Preparation of the Probiotic Preparation and Carrier Member

A water suspension of at least one lactic acid producing bacterialstrain having a concentration of 10⁶-10¹⁵ CFU (colony forming units)/ml,preferably 10¹⁰-10¹³ CFU/ml is prepared. The suspension may also containadditional components like contact sorption drying carriers, nutrientsand/or protecting agents. Examples of such additional components aregiven above.

Lactic acid producing bacteria are chosen due to their positive effectin preventing and treating microbial infection in the urogenital areaand on the skin. The bacteria are preferably isolated from a healthyperson, preferably from the skin or urogenital area of a healthy person.Preferred “lactic acid producing bacteria” include bacteria from thegenera Lactobacillus, Lactococcus and Pediococcus. Preferably theselected bacteria are from the species Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillusacidophilus, Lactobacillus curvatus or Lactobacillus plantarum. Morepreferably the selected bacterium is a Lactobacillus plantarum strain.Even more preferably the lactic acid producing bacterium isLactobacillus plantarum 931 (deposition No. (DSMZ): 11918). The lacticacid producing bacteria can be provided alone or in mixtures containingat least two bacterial strains.

The suspension is dried using any of the following techniques:convective drying methods, contact drying methods or by usingelectromagnetic radiation. Examples of convective drying methodssuitable include spray drying, spray granulation and fluidized beddrying. The common feature for convective drying methods is that warmand dry gas flushes around the product and enters into a heat and masstransfer with the product. Convective methods transfer required heatand/or dryness by convection to the wet product. During contact drying,the wet product is stationary in touch with a warm surface or constantlybrought into new contact with the warm surface by stirring or revolving.Drying by electromagnetic radiation (infrared or microwave radiation)involves using a belt dryer or a stationary support and submitting thewet product to electromagnetic radiation energy which is being absorbedby the wet product. The absorbed energy serves to warm up the productwhereby the moisture in the wet product is evaporated. Drying timesusing electromagnetic radiation often result in very short drying times.

A probiotic composition is thereafter prepared wherein the dry bacterialcomposition, comprising lactic acid producing bacteria and optionaladditional components, is dispersed in a lipid phase which will form theprobiotic preparation held in the carrier member. During this stepfurther additional components, such as nutrients for bacterialpropagation and skin caring substances can be added to the probioticcomposition.

The lipid phase can be composed of a single lipid or a mixture of two ormore lipids. The lipid phase due to its hydrophobic character works as awater vapor barrier, thus makes sure that a very low water activity ismaintained during storage. In table 2 below a selection of lipidssuitable for the core 9 of the capsules 8 is presented.

TABLE 2 Name Producer Melting range Main ingredients Caremelt 107Cognis¹⁾ 25-58° C. Triglyceride, paraffin, monoglyceride Caremelt 3Cognis 30-47° C. Triglyceride, paraffin, silicone wax, liquidtriglyceride Caremelt 58 Cognis 30-49° C. Triglycerides, polymer wax,stearyl alcohol, silicone wax Vaseline AC Hud AB²⁾  5-45° C. PetrolatumBeeswax Apoteket³⁾ Cera Flava Akosoft 36 Karlshamn⁴⁾ 34-38° C. Vegetablefat, hard fat Lipex BC Karlshamn 35° C. Hydrogenated Vegetable oilAMS-C30 DOW-corning⁵⁾ 70° C. Silicone wax ¹⁾Henkel KgaA, Dusseldorf,Germany ²⁾Aco Hud AB, Stockholm, Sweden ³⁾Apoteket AB, Produktion ochLaboratorier, Gothenburg, Sweden ⁴⁾Karlshamns AB, Karlshamn, Sweden⁵⁾Seneffc, Belgium

The probiotic composition is used in a hygiene absorbent product. Forthis purpose it is important that the lipid phase has a melting behaviorthat allows the lipid phase to support bacterial survival and notdisturb the absorptive power of the hygiene product.

There is also an upper temperature limit for the melting behavior of thelipid phase. This limit is in part governed by the fact that for mixingthe bacterial composition with the lipid phase, the lipid phase has tobe soft enough in order to obtain a homogenous mixture. A lipid phasewith a too high melting point has to be brought to temperatures that aretoo high for the bacteria to withstand while being mixed with the lipidphase and therefore a too large portion of the bacteria would die duringpreparation of the probiotic composition. Also, a lipid phase with toohigh melting point is not suitable since it does not soften to a highenough extent when in contact with the skin and therefore delivery ofthe bacteria to the skin is impaired.

The consistency of the core material is influenced by the ratio ofbacterial composition to the lipid phase which provide texture andconsistency of the core material. By varying the ratio of amount ofbacterial composition to amount of lipid phase it is possible to achievea core material with a suitable consistency.

Therefore, preferably, the lipid phase is in major part solid at roomtemperature and up to 30° C., becomes softer at body temperature between30° C. and 40° C., and melting above 60-70° C. However, the lipid phaseis still exhibiting soft properties from 30° C. This melting behaviorcan be achieved by using a single lipid or by mixing different lipidswith different melting behaviors in order to achieve the desired meltingbehavior of the lipid phase.

In order for the lipid phase not to interfere with bacterial survivalthe water content should be low, below 4% by weight, preferably below 2%and more preferably below 1% by weight. The water vapor transmissionrate of the lipid phase, measured according to ASTME 398-83 at 37.8° C.(100° F.) and 90% relative humidity (RH), is 10 g/m²/24 h or less, morepreferably 5 g/m²/24 h or less, most preferably 2 g/m²/24 h or less.

The thus prepared probiotic preparation is then applied on a carriermember 10 as disclosed above or encapsulated by a carrier membermaterial to form a bubble or pouch as also described above. Theincorporation of the probiotic composition in the carrier membermaterial 10 may be accomplished in different ways, such as conventionalpolymer processing techniques such as extrusion, film blowing, blowmoulding, film casting and vacuum moulding.

The carrier member 10 is applied to an absorbent article in a mannerdisclosed, either on top of the topsheet 2 or between the topsheet andthe absorbent structure 4, so as to allow the probiotic preparation toreach the user of the article.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An absorbent article comprising: anabsorbent structure; at least one carrier member located on a wearerfacing side of the absorbent structure; and a bacterial compositioncontained in a lipid phase deposited in or on the carrier member toprevent significant transfer of the lipid phase into the absorbentstructure before use of the absorbent article, the carrier member, atleast before use of the article, being substantially impermeable to thelipid phase, wherein the bacterial composition contains at least onelactic acid producing bacterial strain, and said carrier member at leastpartly encloses the lipid phase containing the bacterial composition. 2.The absorbent article as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carrier membercomprises a sheet having at least one pocket or well formed thereincontaining the lipid phase and bacterial composition.
 3. The absorbentarticle as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pocket or well has a depthof at least 2 mm.
 4. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 3,wherein said pocket or well has a depth of no more than 10 mm.
 5. Theabsorbent article as claimed in claim 2, wherein said carrier member isprovided with at least two pockets or wells containing the lipid phaseand bacterial composition.
 6. The absorbent article as claimed in claim5, wherein said pockets or wells are located spaced apart a distance ofat least 5 mm.
 7. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 6, whereinsaid pockets or wells are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction ofthe article.
 8. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 2, whereinsaid at least one pocket or well is covered by a cover material that atleast before use of the article is impermeable to the lipid phase. 9.The absorbent article as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cover materialis composed of the same or a different material as the carrier memberand is upon use of the article removable by melting, dissolving, peelingoff and/or rupturing.
 10. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 1,wherein said lipid phase containing the bacterial composition iscompletely enclosed by the carrier member, which is in the form of abubble, tube or pouch.
 11. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 10,wherein at least part of said bubble, tube or pouch has a minimum crossdimension of at least 2 mm.
 12. The absorbent article as claimed inclaim 10, wherein the carrier member comprises at least two of saidbubbles, tubes or pouches each containing the lipid phase and bacterialcomposition.
 13. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 12, whereinsaid bubbles, tubes or pouches are located spaced apart a distance of atleast 5 mm.
 14. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 13, whereinsaid bubbles, tubes or pouches are spaced apart in the longitudinaldirection of the article.
 15. The absorbent article as claimed in claim10, wherein the carrier member upon use of the article is opened torelease the lipid phase with the bacterial composition held therein, bymelting, dissolving, peeling open and/or rupturing.
 16. The absorbentarticle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lipid phase is a wax and/oran oil.
 17. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 16, wherein thewax is chosen from a plant wax, a mineral wax, an animal wax, a siliconwax and mixtures thereof.
 18. The absorbent article as claimed in claim17, wherein the wax is a mineral wax.
 19. The absorbent article asclaimed in claim 18, wherein the mineral wax contains petrolatum as amain component.
 20. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe carrier member is chosen from polymer films, metal foils andlaminates there from.
 21. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 20,wherein the polymer film is water soluble.
 22. The absorbent article asclaimed in claim 20, wherein the carrier member material is chosen fromthe following materials: polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide,polyesters, polyurethanes, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinylacetate,polyethers, ionomers and copolymers thereof, aluminium foil, laminatesof polymer films and aluminium foil.
 23. The absorbent article asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier member material is water vapourimpermeable.
 24. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 23, whereinthe carrier member material is a laminate of aluminium foil and polymerfilm.
 25. The absorbent article as claimed in claim 24, wherein thealuminium foil has a thickness of at least 9 μm.
 26. The absorbentarticle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one carrier memberholding the lipid phase and bacterial composition is applied on thewearer facing side of the article or below one or more layers of thearticle permitting penetration of the lactic acid producing bacterialstrain to the wearer.